Scotland manager Berti Vogts is convinced Germany now regard his adopted nation as a real threat to their chances of reaching the Euro 2004 finals.

Scotland manager Berti Vogts is convinced Germany now regard his adopted nation as a real threat to their chances of reaching the Euro 2004 finals.

Vogts, who was in charge of Germany from 1990 to 1998, believes the decision of his successor, Rudi Voller, to attend tonight's qualifier in Lithuania is a clear indication of that.

Vogts understood that Voller had originally not intended to travel to Kaunas but with the Scots now on top of Group Five and with the Germans due to come to Hampden Park in June he has had a quick rethink.

He said: "Rudi Voller is coming. It was not the plan for the Germans but now they have to watch Scottish football."

Vogts rates Lithuania as rivals for the play-off place he insists is the most realistic target for Scotland.

The men from the Baltic pulled off an excellent result on Saturday by drawing 1-1 with Germany after Scotland had beaten Iceland 2-1 to go top. Vogts had already studied that match carefully and concluded that Lithuania had no option but to go for a win.

He said: "I watched the match very late in the night and it was a big, big success for Lithuania.

"The Germans are the favourites in the group but now is also the last chance for Lithuania. Lithuania have to beat us for the play-off place.

"We will have to look for one point."

* ALBANIA'S footballers have been promised a &#xA3;95,000 bonus if they beat the Republic of Ireland in tonight's Group 10 Euro 2004 qualifier in Tirana.

The pledge has come from Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano, who is jumping the nation's soccer bandwagon as the country celebrates Saturday's 3-1 home win over Russia - Albania's best ever result on the football field.

Robbie Keane is back in the Ireland squad after missing Saturday's victory in Georgia following the death of his father.